Mike Bloomberg, Health Cop: Mayor Takes Aim At Booze

July 25, 2012

First he came for your smokes. Then he came for your trans-fats. Then he came for your sugary drinks — and now Mayor Mike Bloomberg has your booze in his sights.

In the mayor’s latest effort to protect you from yourself, the city Health Department now plans to tackle alcohol abuse in the Big Apple, starting with a mass, 50-question telephone survey to get a handle on how serious a problem it actually is.

Given the mayor’s belief that 16 ounces of soda is all that one person should possibly be allowed to drink in one sitting, don’t be surprised if drinking a thimble of beer a week is an indicator that you have a problem — and you need some city-mandated “help” to cut out the booze.

“Issues to be explored include behavior patterns around unhealthy
alcohol consumption and awareness of existing alcohol-related laws and
standards,” the department reportedly told bidders hoping to conduct the poll.

In an apparent attempt to downplay the role of booze in the poll, health
officials say the Department “routinely conduct[s] surveys about
important health issues to learn
more about them.”

However, according to the New York Post — which first reported Bloomberg’s plan — this particular survey “will put a heavy emphasis on booze, along with some questions on drug
use, indicating the city is delving deeper into the drinking problem.”

Health officials say the plan is to increase public education on the
dangers of alcohol, and won’t lead to a ban on booze. Again, though,
these are the same people who proposed a ban on soda served in
containers larger than 16 ounces — so we’ll be on the lookout for a reputable speakeasy.